Talented Bucs finding right combination

Hoover's Breigha Wilder-Cochran has stepped up as a leader this season. (Dennis Victory/preps@al.com)

HOOVER, Alabama – Talent was never the issue for the girls on Hoover’s basketball team.

All five starters earned significant playing time during last season’s Class 6A state championship run, marking Hoover’s fourth straight trip to the title game. Four of the five signed scholarships to play major college basketball – three with Southeastern Conference teams – and two had also played on the 2010 championship team.

Loads of talent and big game potential sometimes translates to stars with even bigger egos.

The whispers of discontent started early when the Bucs began the season with four losses in eight games to good teams under first-year coach Tiffany Frederick. Hoover struggled to score, struggled to defend and played down to its competition without rising to meet that higher level play.

A persistent taskmaster, Frederick demands exacting tolerances while stressing the smallest details and nuances of the game. Her techniques and methods differed from what players knew had worked well during impressive play over past seasons, but she continued to preach her system while players slowly and steadily bent to her will.

The Bucs now ride an 12-game win streak heading into this week and are playing their best basketball of the season.

“In the beginning of the season it was kind of overwhelming because it was so much and so many different views trying to get out on the table,” senior Breigha Wilder-Cochran said in a telephone interview with AL.com. “I think that’s where the problems came.”

“We were stuck in last year and trying to do those things instead of listening to her and what she wanted to do. But we came together as a team and made a pact that this was going to be a new year and not let the things in the past keep coming up.”

Class 6A third-ranked Hoover (16-4) is fresh off a 53-38 win over fourth-ranked Blount in Monday’s MLK BallN Prep Classic at Faulkner University in Montgomery. The Bucs finish Area 14 play traveling to Jackson-Olin on Friday and hosting Minor on Saturday.

Hoover’s margin of victory in its four area wins is more than 43 points a game, but the Bucs have played plenty of tough competition both in and out of state with big wins since their last loss on Dec. 10. Shades Valley, ranked No. 2 in Class 6A, beat them that time.

Frederick was a hard-nosed player who utilized every ounce of her talent. She expects the same from her players.

“It’s a daily challenge for us because young players sometimes base their work ethic on their competition,” Frederick said. “I challenged these seniors that they’ll have to step up to their competition next year so why not do it this year, but that’s hard for young kids to understand.”

Frederick has implemented various methods to test players, including splitting the team into equal squads for drills and scrimmages. Frederick and assistant coaches have also taken the floor against the team as has the junior varsity boys. That test brings another level of speed and athleticism.

In addition to Wilder-Cochran, who has signed to play with South Alabama, other seniors include Vanderbilt signee Marqu’es Webb, and Alabama signees Courtney Hunter and Kara Rawls. Sarah Mitchell also starts while Olivia Adamson provides valuable minutes.

Expectations for this team are lofty. That’s because of the talent, recent history and a senior class that brings a wealth of experience. The Bucs understand that anything short of a state championship marks a disappointing season.

Not only did the team transition to a new coach, but more was expected of the senior class that contributed as juniors last season.

Both Wilder-Cochran and Webb have stepped into bigger leadership roles and the duo leads the team in scoring.

“Before the season coach told me she expected a lot out of me,” Wilder-Cochran said. “She told me she was going to be hard on me and that I was going to be her eyes on the court. I took the challenge and am trying to lead my team.”

Hoover downed fifth-ranked Bob Jones 52-27 on Jan. 18 in its most complete game yet.

“I was watching video of all of the losses, finding the things we need to work on,” Frederick said. “This is not the same team, not the same group. They play harder on the defensive end and we’re knocking down more baskets, but we still have room for improvement. I keep talking to them about peaking and I think we’re headed in the right direction to do that.”